Recently, observant fans and media noticed that the England team, from Manager Gareth Southgate to the players, have been wearing smart rings during the Euros, reportedly using wearable technology to enhance their athletic performance and gaining popularity among celebrities.
The team has adopted the Oura Ring, a device that collects data on various body metrics, including heart rate variability (HRV), blood oxygen saturation, and body temperature. It then analyzes this information to provide scores for health monitoring, recovery, and sleep tracking, offering scientific insights.
One key benefit of the Oura Ring is its ability to track individual sleep patterns, detailing the duration spent in light, deep, and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep stages. During the tournament, this data serves as a scientific gauge for player workload. Since arriving in Germany, Southgate and some selected players have worn the ring during training sessions. Celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Prince Harry are also said to be fans of the ring.
This move underscores the growing trend of wearable technology in football and the increasing focus on multi-dimensional player performance monitoring to proactively prevent burnout and injury risks.
Personal health devices are becoming more popular among professional footballers, serving as additional sources of information for recovery and sleep. Cristiano Ronaldo and Virgil van Dijk, for example, have become global ambassadors for fitness tracker Whoop and regularly wear such devices as part of their health monitoring.
At £299 per ring, it’s a small investment for players who hope the technology positively impacts their chances of making breakthroughs on the pitch.
Technology and Intensity: England’s Coaching Staff and Players Embrace Smart Rings for Performance Boost. Author:Sports UEFA.Please indicate the source when reproduced:https://www.sportsuefa.com/football-world/technology-and-intensity-englands-coaching-staff-and-players-embrace-smart-rings-for-performance-boost.html